Course summary

BA(Hons) Technical Theatre Arts prepares students for the practical challenges of working on live productions in a working theatre environment. Students are based in the Spielman Studio theatre at Tobacco Factory Theatres, putting them in a live environment at the heart of a working theatre. The programme recognises the ever-evolving nature of the profession and the growing demand for highly skilled designers, managers and technicians to create, manage and operate productions. Our training covers a wide range of production skills to prepare students for the workplace. Tutors encourage experiment, practice and develop skills across many core production disciplines. These include Stage and Production Management, Lighting, Sound and Digital Production as well as looking at new developments at the interface of immersive technology and the live experience. Students receive comprehensive training in all areas of Health and Safety embedded into each module to ensure that all activities adhere to the best industry practice in accordance with the national guidelines and in preparation for the workplace. The programme replicates the working environment of a professional team working in a production office at Tobacco Factory and it will be limited to 12 students so as to provide not only high levels of meaningful engagement but a completely personalised learning journey and continuous professional oversight. At level 4 students learn the importance of the technical aspects to live performance and explore the basic tools of creating a technical environment for a production. They learn production skills in context, safe working practices and the role of stage management . They learn the vocabulary and skills to operate and explore creating with light and sound. At level 5 they further develop their design practice with light, sound and audio visual equipment including projection. Designs are created digitally and then tried out in the studio conditions. Students continue their stage and production management training in the context of productions created by Wardrobe Ensemble and so have their first experiences of working in junior roles on live projects. Level 5 also includes a research project into aspects of new technologies and theatre practice and a placement module working with either Tobacco Factory Theatres or one of our Bristol partners on event production. At Level 6 students work on BSA Acting for Stage and Screen and Theatre-making productions. This gives them the opportunity to work on a wide variety of production styles in the main house, the studio at Tobacco Factory Theatres as well as the Bristol Old Vic Theatre and site specific work with Wardrobe Ensemble. Each student takes on different production roles on 5 productions. Roles will include Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Production Manager, Assistant Lighting Designer and Assistant Sound Designer. Where possible and practical, roles will be tailored to areas in which individual students wish to specialise professionally.